Poker Rules

Getting to know the basic poker rules is the first thing you need to do if you want to play poker. Poker is easy to learn and difficult to master and because of that, Absolute Poker gives you the basic poker rules you need to understand and use and practice to become a good poker player.

While there are many different types and styles of poker, when you know the poker rules, you are referring to a standard set of rules, guidelines and commonalities between variations of poker.

Poker Rules - Cards

First of all, is important to know that poker uses a standard deck of 52 playing cards (for most variations). Cards are ranked in a systematic fashion. 2 is the lowest card, Ace is the highest. The deck is split into four suits; no suit is of more value than another. A poker hand contains five cards. The highest hand at the table wins. Some variations utilize wild cards, but to gain a proper sense of the game, you should learn the hand ranks as they exist without the possibility of wild cards first.

The poker rule is this one: The number of cards you are dealt depends on the variation of poker you're playing. Again, to stick with the basics five cards is most common.

Poker Rules - Players

Two to eight or more. Certain forms of poker can be played by up to 14 people. No alliances are allowed; a player may play only for himself

Poker Rules- Basic terms

The usage of some poker terms is not standard. In the following text a "hand" means the cards, or the particular combination of cards held by the player. A single game, from one shuffle to then next, is here called a "play" (rather than a "hand")

Poker Rules -Objective

The object of online poker is deceptively simple: win the money in the pot during a round of play by either having the best poker hand (highest ranking five-card hand) when the wagering is done or by forcing all other players to fold out of the hand.

Poker Rules - Rank of cards

Cards rank in the normal order. Ace usually ranks high, except in the 5,4,3,2 ace sequence; in a "high-low" game it may rank either high or low. Sometimes low ranking cards (2s, 3s and even 4s and 5s) are removed from the deck to speed up the game.

One suit does not have superiority over another suit except in a few situations, which are discussed subsequently. Suits do not count in the ranking of hands. Thus, a flush of one suit does not take priority over a flush of another suit by virtue of which suit it is.

Poker Rules - Hands with wild cards

Wild cards rank exactly the same as the cards they stand for, so when comparing hands of the same rank, ties are possible between same denomination fours, full houses and threes. With fours and threes, the rank of the other cards in the hands decides the winner where possible.

The poker rules is that if hands with wild cards are identical rank, the hand with no or fewer wild cards, wins. If there are the same number of wild cards, the hands tie. Where wild cards are used for any card (even one held by the player) two new hands are possible.

• Five of a kind: five cards of the same denomination. This ranks as highest hand, above a straight flush.
• Double ace high flush: a flush including two aces. This ranks above flush and below full house.

Sometimes a wild card my be used only to make a five of a kind- but not to make double ace high flush. This must be decided before start of play.

Poker Rules - Number of Players

Anywhere from two to thirteen players seek to make the highest possible five-card hand from the cards made available to them by the particular form of poker they are playing. More players are theoretically possible, but impractical.

In seven card stud games the maximum number of players is eight. In Omaha games the maximum number of players is ten. In Texas Hold'em the maximum number of players is thirteen.

In Draw and Lowball the maximum number of players is nine, although eight is a preferred maximum because when you play nine-handed you constantly run out of cards and the discards have to be re-shuffled and dealt for the draw.

Poker Rules - Dealing

The dealer deals cards face down around the table, starting at the player to his left and continuing clockwise. The dealer always deals to himself last and then deals everyone a first card, then goes back around the circle to deal the second card, and so forth. When everyone has five cards, the remainder of the deck is placed in the middle of the table, and game begins.

Poker Rules - Order of Play

The play of a hand always proceeds clockwise, beginning with the player in first position, and ending with the last player to respond to an action. Each player acts after the player to his immediate right. If no action is made, then play continues to the player in last position.

Know Your Poker Rules

Whether you prefer to play poker online or at a live table, familiarizing yourself with poker rules is absolutely essential. Regardless of the kind of game you play, knowing the basic rules is not only pivotal, but it is the first step in becoming a seasoned masterful player. This couldn't be truer than with poker rules.

It is easy to spot a poker player who isn't acquainted with the rules of poker. The old adage “a fool and his money are soon parted” certainly applies here. The countless missteps, miscues, and blatant blunders will quickly give away a rookie's status—and his money will most certainly follow. If you don't know if a flush beats a straight, three of a kind beats two pair, that all suits are created equal, and other basic poker rules, then your opponents will surely take advantage of you. Even if your competitors are thoroughly honest, not knowing the poker rules will significantly slowdown the pace and flow of the game. If you need to constantly defer rulings and judgments to your rivals, solely because you can't recall the poker rules, the game play will be sorely compromised. Besides, knowing your poker rules will make for a seamless game, rather than one bogged down with players debating the basics. Not knowing poker rules is certainly foolish.

By simply knowing the poker rules before your first game, you can avoid unnecessary embarrassment, retain and build your confidence, and hold onto your money from the get-go. Poker games played by the poker rules are always more fun!